Vertical display unit

ABSTRACT

A vertical display unit for mounting to a vertical post of an associated structure that has apertures formed therein. First and second brackets include fastening mechanisms that are used to fasten the spine to the brackets and securing mechanisms that are used to secure the brackets to the associated structure. The brackets include first and second spacers that are positioned between the spine and the associated structure so that a portion of the spine is spaced from a portion of the associated structure. Any combination of first and second wings or spine attachments are attached to the spine. Wing attachments may also be fastened to the first and second wings. The wing attachments, first and second wings, and/or the spine attachments can accommodate goods to be displayed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a vertical display unit that isconfigured to display products, advertisements and other goods. Thevertical display unit is mounted to and spaced from an associatedstructure.

Signs, and more particularly, point-of-purchase sign or display systemscan, when properly designed, be tremendously effective marketing tools.The systems have become widely popular in all manners of retail trade.

In one common use, signs are mounted to shelving systems that permitloading of pallets and palletized items onto the shelves. These arecommonly referred to as pallet racks. These arrangements permit thestorage of large items and large amounts of items on each of theshelves. However, the shelves do not typically lend themselves to themounting of point-of-purchase displays units or signs.

Many known display units and signs are permanently or semi-permanentlyaffixed to the shelves and are hung above or below horizontal bars ofthe shelving systems. While these display units function well to directa consumer's attention to the particular products, they do not permitready access to the shelves to, for example, restock the shelves orretrieve items therefrom. This, of course, is particularly true of thosedisplay units that are permanently or semi-permanently affixed to theshelves.

To address this problem, known mounting systems for signs weredeveloped. These include those disclosed in Padiak et al, U.S. Pat. No.5,934,633 entitled “Pivotal, Two-Position Locking Side Mounting System”and Conway et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,803,420 entitled “Universal SideMounting Device”. Another known mounting system is disclosed in Conwayet al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,484,988 entitled “Bias-Assisted Sign Mount”. Allof these patents are commonly assigned to the present applicant and areincorporated herein by reference.

All of these systems function well. In fact, they provide one or moremounting arrangements that are used to position a sign in a particular,desired orientation and position that is effective for point-of-purchasemarketing. The systems in one or more forms permit fully rotating orpivoting the sign out of the way, from a display position to a storageposition, to restock the shelves over or behind which the signs arelocated. However, one drawback to these systems is the inability tomount to vertical beams, while at the same time providing consumeraccessible storage for products.

In addition, other known systems do not allow for aesthetically mountingthe signs over horizontal rack beams while permitting product storage.It has been found that the horizontal beams, including the beams onwhich the shelves are positioned, can extend slightly outwardly from thevertical uprights or posts, preventing the mounting of signage and/orstorage displays. Alternately, the horizontal beams overlie openingsinto which the display unit and sign mounts must be inserted. As such,the signs may not lie flush with the rack. This is an aestheticallyundesirable situation.

Accordingly, there exists a need for a point-of-purchase display unitthat can be positioned in a particular, desired position. Such a systempermits positioning the display unit on vertical beams or posts of theassociated structure and provides accessible product storage.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention pertains to a vertical display unit that ismounted to an associated structure and, in one embodiment, to a palletrack. In one embodiment, the display unit comprises a spine that isattached to a vertical post of a pallet rack by an offset bracket. Thisdesirably allows users to adjust the vertical position of the displayunit by moving it up and down the vertical post and forwardly offsetsthe spine to permit the spine to overlie the horizontal beam. In thismanner, products displayed in the unit are aligned with products on theassociated structure or pallet rack. Further, by positioning the displayunit on the vertical post, access to the associated structure or palletrack is substantially unimpeded, allowing customers to access the rack.Different product display unit assemblies that hold and/or displayproducts can be attached to the spine.

In a first embodiment, the product display unit assembly comprises oneor more spine attachments that are attached to the spine and desirablyaccommodate a wide variety of different products, literature and othergoods. Two adjustable wings may also be attached to the spine, and theirlateral position may be adjusted inward or outward depending on the goodto be displayed. Advertisement boards may be inserted into outsidelateral faces of the wings to increase marketing exposure.

In a second embodiment, the product display unit assembly comprises thetwo adjustable wings and wing attachments, such as front panels and abottom. The wing attachments are attached to the adjustable wings, andthe adjustable wings are attached to the spine. The front panels andbottom are attached to the wings to form an enclosure. Goods may then beplaced within the enclosure.

These and other features and advantages of the present invention will beapparent from the following detailed description, in conjunction withthe appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The benefits and advantages of the present invention will become morereadily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the relevant art afterreviewing the following detailed description and accompanying drawings,wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front view of a first embodiment of the vertical displayunit having hook type spine attachments;

FIG. 2 is rear perspective view of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side view of FIG. 1 showing the spine overlying a horizontalbeam;

FIG. 4 is an exploded view showing a bracket cooperating with the spineand a vertical post;

FIG. 4 a is the exploded view of FIG. 4 as seen from the rear;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the verticaldisplay unit having stackable ring and bottom panel type spineattachments;

FIG. 5 a is a perspective view of the stackable ring and bottom paneltype spine attachments;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the verticaldisplay unit having bin type spine attachments;

FIG. 7 is a second embodiment of the vertical display unit having abottom that comprises of a base; and,

FIG. 8 is a second embodiment of the vertical display unit having abottom that comprises of shelves.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

While the present invention is susceptible of embodiment in variousforms, there is shown in the drawings and will hereinafter be describeda presently preferred embodiment with the understanding that the presentdisclosure is to be considered an exemplification of the invention andis not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodimentillustrated.

It should be further understood that the title of this section of thisspecification, namely, “Detailed Description Of The Invention”, relatesto a requirement of the United States Patent Office, and does not imply,nor should be inferred to limit the subject matter disclosed herein.

The present invention pertains to a vertical display unit that ismounted to an associated structure and, in one embodiment, to a palletrack. In one embodiment, the display unit comprises a spine that isattached to a vertical post of a pallet rack by a bracket.

In a first embodiment, the vertical display unit comprises one or morespine attachments that are attached to the spine and desirablyaccommodate a wide variety of different products, literature and othergoods. For example, the spine attachments include hooks, stackable ringsand bottom panels, and bins that are attached to the spine. Differentgoods may then be displayed by sliding them onto the hooks, such aswindshield wipers, batteries, and other goods that are attached tocardboard backing having holes formed within the top. The holes are slidover the hooks. Goods such as cables and the like may be placed in anenclosure formed by the stackable rings and bottom panels. Informationalpamphlets, goods packaged in squeezable tubes, cardboard boxes, andaerosol cans and a variety of other goods may be placed within the bins.Two adjustable wings may also be attached to the spine, and theirlateral position may be adjusted inward or outward depending on theproduct to be displayed.

In a second embodiment, the vertical display unit comprises the twoadjustable wings and wing attachments, such as front panels and abottom. The wing attachments are attached to the adjustable wings. Theadjustable wings are attached to the spine and their lateral positionmay be adjusted inward or outward, depending on the product to bedisplayed. The front panels and bottom are attached to the wings to forman enclosure. Goods may then be placed within the enclosure.

FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the display unit 10 having a spine12, which is mounted to a vertical post V of a pallet rack by twobrackets 14 (FIG. 4). The spine 12 may be comprised of plastic or metaldepending on the goods G to be displayed. Spine attachments 15, such asthe hooks 16 shown in FIG. 1, are attached to the spine 12. In otherembodiments, different spine attachments 15, such as stackable rings 18and a bottom panel 20 (FIG. 5) or bins 22 (FIG. 6) may be attached tothe spine 12. Goods G may be hung from the hooks 16 or placed within thestackable rings 18 or bins 22 for display.

The hook 16 type spine attachments 15 comprise a hook rack 24 having afront face 26 and numerous pegs 28, as shown in FIG. 1. In otherembodiments, the hook type spine attachment may simply comprise one pegthat is attached to the spine. The hooks 16 include a fasteningmechanism 30 for fastening the hook to the spine 12. As shown in FIG. 1,one type of fastening mechanism 30 comprises a U-shaped brace 32integral with two inward points 34. The inward points 34 are insertedinto apertures 36 formed within the spine 12, and the U-shaped brace 32provides structural support to allow the hook 16 to support goods G ofdiffering weights.

Those of skill in the art will appreciate that the material, shape anddesign of the fastening mechanism 30 may be modified to accommodate thedesired products to be placed onto the hooks. For example, the fasteningmechanism 30 may comprise upward or downward facing clasps 38, 40, ormay comprise the U-shaped brace 32 having apertures formed therein.Fasteners F may be inserted through the brace's apertures and thespine's apertures 36 to fasten the hook 16 to the spine 12. In yet otherembodiments, the fastening mechanism 30 of the spine attachments 15 maycomprise any combination of the fastening mechanisms provided and/or maycooperate with lateral openings 58 formed in the spine 12.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, two adjustable wings 44 are attachedto the spine 12 by fasteners F are positioned on opposite sides of thehook 16 (not shown in FIG. 2). The wings 44 include outer faces 46 thatinclude channels 48 that receive advertisements A (FIG. 3), which may beslid into the channels. The advertisements A positioned on the outerfaces 46 increase the aesthetic appeal of the display unit 10, 88 andattract customers walking down the aisle of a store by increasinglateral visibility of the display unit 10, 88. Note that in otherembodiments not shown, there need not be adjustable wings attached tothe spine. In other embodiments the inner surface of the adjustablewings may include grooves or a ledge on which the hooks may rest toprovide greater support. In yet other embodiments, the adjustable wingsmay be transparent, or comprised of plastic or metal depending on thedesired marketing objective.

The spine includes a plurality of apertures 36 formed therein, and thewings 44 include a plurality of arms 50 having laterally spaced holes 52formed therein, as shown in FIG. 1. In one embodiment, the lateralposition of the adjustable wing 44 with respect to the spine 12 may beadjusted by attaching the arm 50 to the spine 12 at different laterallyspaced holes 52. In a preferred embodiment, left and right sides 54, 56of the spine 12 include lateral openings 58 that are aligned withgrooves 60 formed on a rear face 62 of the spine 12. The arms 50 areslid through the lateral openings 58 and fit within the grooves 60, asshown in FIG. 2. A fastener F is then inserted through the apertures 36and holes 52 of the spine 12 and arm 50, respectively.

In one embodiment, the spine 12 is mounted to the vertical post V orbeam by a bracket 14. One embodiment of a bracket 14 is shown in FIGS. 4and 4 a having a securing mechanism 64 comprising legs 66 that areintegral with leg plates 68. The securing mechanism 64 is insertedthrough an aperture VA formed within the vertical beam or post V, asshown in FIG. 2. Note that the legs 66 of the securing mechanism 64 areinserted through horizontally adjacent apertures VA formed within thevertical beam or post V. In other embodiments not shown, the securingmechanism may comprise one leg that is inserted through one aperture ofthe vertical beam.

The bracket 14 includes a fastening mechanism 70, which comprises asleeve 72 in the leg plate 68 in the embodiment shown in FIG. 4.Fasteners F are inserted through spine apertures 36 and into thefastening mechanism 70 of the bracket 14 to fasten the spine 12 to thebrackets 14 and the vertical post V. Note that in other embodiments, thefastening mechanism 70 of the bracket may comprise structures other thanthe sleeve 72 shown in FIG. 4.

The leg plates 68 are integral with a spacer 76, having a spacer body 78and spacer plate 80. As shown in FIG. 3, when attached to the spine 12,the spacer 76 spaces the spine 12 from the vertical beam V so that thespine is substantially parallel to and spaced from the vertical beam.This allows for the spine to lie parallel to the vertical beam V,overlying the horizontal beam H to prevent resting in a crooked or askewmanner.

In a most preferred embodiment, the spacer 76 includes a spacerprotrusion 82 that cooperates with the grooves 60 in the rear 62 of thespine 12, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 4 a. The spacer protrusion 82 andgrooves 60 in the rear 62 of the spine 12 desirably identify a locationon the rear of the spine at which the bracket 64 should be attached. Thespine grooves 60 and the spacer protrusion 82 also decrease thesusceptibility of the spine 12 to slip with respect to the brackets 64when items, especially heavy items, are added or removed from thedisplay unit 10, 100.

Note that in other embodiments not shown, the securing mechanism isseparate from the spacer, which comprises the spacer plate integral withthe spacer body. The spacer plate includes an aperture, and the fasteneris inserted through the front aperture of the spine, the aperture of thespacer plate, and into the fastener receiving tube. Those of skill inthe art will appreciate that the bracket may be comprised of plastic ordifferent types of metal depending on the desired products to besupported by the display unit.

FIG. 5 shows a first embodiment of the display unit 10 having stackablering 18 type spine attachments 15 that include fastening mechanisms 30.The stackable ring 18 embodiment shown in FIG. 5 incorporates afastening mechanism 30 that comprises upward pointing clasps 38. Theclasps 38 are inserted through the apertures 36 or lateral openings 58of the spine 12. The embodiment of FIG. 5 further includes a bottompanel 20 having fastening mechanisms 30, which, preferably, also areupward pointing clasps 38. The upward clasps 38 are inserted through thespine apertures 36.

Note that the type of fastening mechanism 30 may be modified dependingon the structural support required to display different products Pinserted into the stackable ring/bottom panel enclosure. For example, inother embodiments, the stackable rings may include downward clasps, aback surface having a fastening mechanism that comprises a U-shapedbrace integral with inward points, a U-shaped brace with aperturesformed therein for cooperating with fasteners, or any combinationthereof. Further, the adjustable wings may be used with the stackablerings in other embodiments not shown.

In other embodiments, the fastening mechanism 30 may comprise two tabapertures 84 formed within a tab 86 protruding from the bottom panel 20or the stackable ring 18, as shown in FIG. 5 a. Fasteners F are insertedthrough the apertures 84 of the stackable ring and/or bottom panel 18,20 and into the spine 12.

FIG. 6 shows a first embodiment of the display unit 10 having bin 22type spine attachments 15. The bins 22 are attached to the spine 12 byfastening mechanisms 30. The bin 22 embodiment of FIG. 6 incorporatesfastening mechanisms 30 that comprise tabs 84 having tab apertures 86formed therein. Fasteners F are inserted through the tab and spineapertures 84, 86. In other embodiments, the fastening mechanism 30cooperates with either the lateral openings 58 or apertures 36 of thespine and may comprise, for example, a U-shaped brace 32 integral withupward points 34, a U-shaped brace 32 with apertures formed therein,upward or downward clasps 38, 40, or any combination thereof.

The shape and size of the bins 22 and fastening mechanism 30 may beadjusted depending on the goods G to be displayed. Those of skill in theart will appreciate that the embodiments shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 may alsoinclude adjustable wings.

FIG. 7 shows a second embodiment 88 of the display unit comprisingadjustable wings 44 and wing attachments 90. In the embodiment of FIG.7, the wing attachments 90 include front panels 92 that are attached tothe adjustable wings 44. The front panels 92 include wing attachmentfastening mechanisms 94 that cooperate with apertures 96 formed withinthe adjustable wings 44 and, in the embodiment of FIG. 7, the wingattachment fastening mechanism 94 includes downward clasps 40 that areinserted into the adjustable wing apertures 96.

The embodiment of FIG. 7 also includes a bottom 98 comprising a base 100that is either attached to the spine 12, the adjustable wing 44 or bothby a bottom fastening mechanism 102. One embodiment of the bottomfastening mechanism 102 includes a flange 104 extending from a lateralside 105 of the base. The flange 104 preferably defines a clip 106 atits end. The adjustable wing 44 includes a channel 48 formed on itsoutside face 46. The channel 48 is slid into the flange 104, and theclip 106 of the flange slides through a wing aperture 96 to lock thewing 44 to the base 100. Goods G may be positioned within the enclosureformed by the front panel 92 and base 100, the adjustable wings 44 andthe spine 12.

In other embodiments, the bottom fastening mechanism 102 comprises aslot, a protrusion, or both formed in the base, and a slot, protrusionor both formed in the adjustable wing. Either the base protrusion isinserted into the adjustable wing slot, or the adjustable wingprotrusion is inserted into the base slot, or both. In otherembodiments, the bottom fastening mechanism may include two aperturesformed within the base, and fasteners are inserted through the baseapertures and the spine apertures to fasten the base to the spine.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 8, the bottom 100 comprises shelves 108,each attached to the adjustable wing 44 by a bottom fastening mechanism102. The bottom fastening mechanism 102 of FIG. 8 comprises the flange104 and clip 106 and cooperates with a channel 48 on the adjustable wing44.

As shown in FIG. 8, an advertising insert A may be inserted overportions of the spine 12 to achieve increased marketing exposure. Thoseof skill in the art will appreciate that such advertising inserts may beused in conjunction with any of the embodiments shown in any of theFigures.

All patents referred to herein, are hereby incorporated herein byreference, whether or not specifically done so within the text of thisdisclosure.

In the present disclosure, the words “a” or “an” are to be taken toinclude both the singular and the plural. Conversely, any reference toplural items shall, where appropriate, include the singular.

From the foregoing it will be observed that numerous modifications andvariations can be effectuated without departing from the true spirit andscope of the novel concepts of the present invention. It is to beunderstood that no limitation with respect to the specific embodimentsillustrated is intended or should be inferred. The disclosure isintended to cover all such modifications as fall within the scope of thedisclosed, exemplary embodiment.

1. A vertical display unit for mounting to a vertical post of anassociated structure, the vertical post having apertures formed therein,the display unit comprising: a spine including a plurality of aperturesformed therein; a first bracket including a first securing mechanismcoupled to a first spacer and a first fastening mechanism; a secondbracket including a second securing mechanism coupled to a second spacerand a second fastening mechanism, wherein the first and second securingmechanisms cooperate with the apertures of the vertical post so that thebrackets are secured to the spine and the first and second fasteningmechanisms cooperate with fasteners to fasten the spine to the brackets,wherein the first and second spacers are positioned between the spineand the associated structure so that a portion of the spine is spacedfrom a portion of the associated structure and the spine issubstantially parallel to the vertical post; a spine attachment fastenedto the spine by a spine attachment fastening mechanism, wherein thespine attachment is configured to accommodate goods to be displayed onthe display unit.
 2. The vertical display unit of claim 1, wherein thefirst securing mechanism is integral with the first fastening mechanismand the first spacer, and wherein the second securing mechanism isintegral with the second fastening mechanism and the second spacer. 3.The vertical display unit of claim 1, wherein the first securingmechanism is integral with the first fastening mechanism and separatefrom the first spacer, and the second securing mechanism is integralwith the second fastening mechanism and separate from the second spacer,wherein fasteners cooperate with the first and second fasteningmechanisms to fasten the first and second spacers to the first andsecond securing mechanisms.
 4. The vertical display unit of claim 1,wherein the first and second securing mechanisms further comprise firstand second legs, the first and second legs being inserted through theapertures of the vertical post.
 5. The vertical display unit of claim 1,further comprising first and second wings having first and second setsof wing arms, wherein the first and second sets of arms are fastened tothe spine.
 6. The vertical display unit of claim 5, wherein the firstand second sets of wing arms include holes formed therein, fastenersbeing inserted through the wing arm holes and the spine apertures toattach the wing arms to the spine.
 7. The vertical display unit of claim1, wherein the spine attachment fastening mechanism further comprises aU-shaped bracket.
 8. The vertical display unit of claim 7, wherein thespine attachment fastening mechanism further comprises two inwardpoints, the inward points being inserted into the spine apertures tofasten the spine attachment to the spine.
 9. The vertical display unitof claim 7, wherein the spine attachment fastening mechanism furthercomprises a plate having apertures formed therein, fasteners beinginserted through the plate apertures and the spine apertures to fastenthe spine attachment to the spine.
 10. The vertical display unit ofclaim 1, wherein the spine attachment fastening mechanism furthercomprises clasps, the clasps being inserted into the spine apertures tofasten the spine attachment to the spine.
 11. The vertical display unitof claim 1, wherein the spine attachment fastening mechanism furthercomprises a portion of the spine attachment having apertures formedtherein, fasteners being inserted through the spine attachment aperturesand the spine apertures to fasten the spine attachment to the spine. 12.The vertical display unit of claim 1, wherein the spine attachmentcomprises at least one of: a hook, a bin, or a stackable ring.
 13. Avertical display unit for mounting to a vertical post of an associatedstructure, the vertical post having apertures formed therein, thedisplay unit comprising: a spine including a plurality of aperturesformed therein; a first bracket including a first securing mechanismcoupled to a first spacer and a first fastening mechanism; a secondbracket including a second securing mechanism coupled to a second spacerand a second fastening mechanism, wherein the first and second securingmechanisms cooperate with the apertures of the vertical post so that thebrackets are secured to the spine and the first and second fasteningmechanisms cooperate with fasteners to fasten the spine to the brackets,wherein the first and second spacers are positioned between the spineand the associated structure so that a portion of the spine is spacedfrom a portion of the associated structure and the spine issubstantially parallel to the vertical post; first and second wingshaving first and second sets of wing arms, wherein the first and secondsets of arms are fastened to the spine; a wing attachment fastened tothe first and second wings by a wing attachment fastening mechanism,wherein the wing attachment cooperates with the first and second wingsand the spine to accommodate goods to be displayed on the display unit.14. The vertical display unit of claim 13, wherein the first and secondsets of wing arms include holes formed therein, fasteners being insertedthrough the wing arm holes and the spine apertures to attach the wingarms to the spine.
 15. The vertical display unit of claim 13, whereinthe spine further comprises a rear having grooves formed therein, thewing arms being inserted in the grooves.
 16. The vertical display unitof claim 13, wherein the wing arm attachment further comprises a frontpanel.
 17. The vertical display unit of claim 16, wherein the wing armattachment further comprises a bottom.
 18. The vertical display unit ofclaim 17, wherein the bottom further comprises a base or shelves. 19.The vertical display unit of claim 17, wherein the bottom includes abottom fastening mechanism, and wherein the bottom fastening mechanismcooperates with the spine to fasten the base to the spine.
 20. Thevertical display unit of claim 17, wherein the bottom includes a bottomfastening mechanism, and wherein the bottom fastening mechanismcooperates with the first and second wings to fasten the bottom to thefirst and second wings.